Whiffletree-coupling



UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

WILLIAM A. SOHLEIOHER, OF CLEVELAND, OHIO.

WHlFFLETREE-COUPLING.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 455,119, dated June 30, 1891.

Application filed August 1 1890- To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, WILLIAM A. SCHLEI- CHER, of Cleveland, in the county of 'Cuyahoga and State of Ohio, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Whiffletree-Couplings, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming part of this specification, in which Figure 1 is a plan View of a part of awhiffletree, illustrating the manner of use of my improved coupling device. Fig. 2 is a'vertical sectional view on a larger scale. Fig. 3 is a plan View of one of the parts of the coupling. Fig. at is a plan view of one of the parts of a coupling of modified construction.

Like symbols of reference indicate like parts in each.

In the drawings, 2 represents the whiflietree, and 3 is the tongue or other portion of a. vehicleto which the whiffletree is applied.

The whililetree-coupling consists of two parts A and B, which are counterparts of each other, being conical through their vertical bearing-faces. The partA has a central hub or eye a, and its. exterior. bearing-surface, which is circular in cross-section,comprises a conical or tapering portion a, and preferably, also, two cylindrical portions a and 0, The part B has an exterior bearing-surface which is the counterpart of the bearing-surface of the part A, and to secure lightness of weight and to economize in the material employed I prefer to make the parts hollow or grooved, as shown at d.

The parts of the coupling are secured to the whiflietree and to the vehicle by means of screws or other securingdevices, which pass Serial No. 363,268. (No model.)

through projecting lugs or flanges o. I show two forms of such lugs or flanges, one of which forms is illustrated in Figs. 2 and 3 and the other in Fig. 4.

WVhen in use, the parts are nested together in the manner shown in Fig. 2, and the whiffletree is held to the tongue by means of a bolt 4. It will be understood that it is immaterial which of the parts be secured to the whiffletree or to the vehicle. The coupling permits the whiffletree to turn freely. The parts of the coupling are not apt to wear loose, and the articleis very strong and durable and is neat in appearance.

It is desirable that there should be one or more cylindrical bearing-surfaces a or a? to hold the parts of the coupling firmly together and to prevent tendency to lateral motion.

The advantages of my invention will be appreciated by those skilled in the art.

Without limiting myself to the precise form of the parts illustrated, which may be modified by the skilled mechanic, I claim- A whiffletree coupling comprising two plates provided with a single inner and outer cone-shaped projection, respectively, which constitute the bearing-surfaces and terminate at each end in interfitting cylindrical portions, said projections having central holes for the passage of a bolt or pin, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand this 26th day of August, A. D. 1890.

WILLIAM A. SOHLEICHER.

Witnesses:

Mrs. M. E. BURKE, L. G. How'LAND. 

